Holy - Daze in Motion

Well, here we are, in the thick of it my friends.

The front door to my apartment. It's my yarn wreath.
The Kid put the bow on and had his father hang it up for me. They love me.

I am not feeling as grounded as I like to this time of year. Everything is sort of half-assed done. I keep waiting to check things off my to do list, and it doesn't seem to be happening. This is not just the knitting, for example. We have a tree, the lights are on, but it is STILL not decorated. We have not been home together in the evening for long enough. There have been swimming lessons, soccer try-outs, dinner with friends, exercise.

I spent an hour last night working on a schedule for the next week  and a half. I feel faint.

Don't get me started on the knitting ...

(See my shaking knitting needles here.)

This time of year brings out the attempt to knit like a maniac (a reoccurring theme abound the internet.) which is not working since it feels like we have plans every evening! I have reduced my goals to finishing the cowl for the teacher and a soccer hat for the other soccer coach (I handed the first one off at the tourney last weekend) and 4 coffee sleeves for some friends. Wish me luck.

 
I'm okay. I'm okay.

I've stopped reading everyone's suggestions for quick knits. In fact I've also stopped reading books completely. I hope to resume the world of literary escapism the weekend before Christmas. See? Even that is scheduled!

I think I'm mopey because I have not had a sufficient amount of caffeine. I stress ate a mini candy cane in front of Personnel reception today ... when I locked myself out (I left my badge at my desk) when I went outside to make a personal call. The receptionists always take pity on me. I like them and their kindly candy canes.

This post finds me working very hard to shake the fog, be decisive, productive and fun and caring to all. But! I will find time to knit, just for the soothing aspect of it. I didn't touch any yarn yesterday. I think it effects my mood. And damn it Kathy, I want some gingerbread now, preferably with a LOT of whipped cream.

A work not really in progress and other diversions.

So the Common Ground cardigan has come to a grinding halt. My very simple reasons:

1) I cannot count and cast on in dark colors after 10 pm. I started things to find out I was ... wrong, and it has been restarted twice and ripped out twice. I am letting it ... rest, while I work out my remedial math a little earlier in a day with more time ... and maybe light.

2) I knit Autumn in New York, with the intention of giving it to a local charity. I gave a call to someone I used to work with at the local APS, remembering they have an emergency pantry for the elderly and disabled adults who could use a little extra warmth. Anyhow, they said they'd be happy to take a hat.

But, one hat? I felt like a loser. So I dug up a few other homeless knits I had laying around and one of the old pals from the office knitting group brought me over one ...and I decided I needed one more quick knit. So I think this is some spare Gryffindor yellow that is in progress to be just one more hat.

3) My son's 5th grade teacher is SO nice. My son and his classmates seem to be enjoying school and learning and remain respectful of her and each other. This is very important to me. I feel like teachers get such a lot of crap. It is important that respect for teaching authority is instilled not just in school, but at home, and is expected in the community, which includes your own classmates. [/end rant]

Anyways, I just wanted to give her a little token of appreciation, in the form of an Alpaca Gaptastic Cowl. I'm halfway finished and will post an FO pic soon! Did I mention she was really responsive, nice and cute as a button? All while maintaining a classroom of 10 and 11 year olds? sheesh! Cowls for all the great teachers!!

4) Soccer team knits. Hats and coffee sleeves. Relatively quick knits, but still eat away at what I had "planned" on knitting. You know, like those fall socks, that are turning into winter socks. Below is a hat I knit on the right to match the team colors. I think this guy is experiencing the Plymouth Encore Wool/Acrylic blend. The guy on the left is wearing a Barcelona hat (machine made shhh).

5) Holiday spirit.I have plans to knit a few pieces of happy decorations. We'll see how I do.

6) Chipping away at the first of my autumn / fall socks ... still. I should have sock #1 done this weekend.

7) I think maybe I can knit a kindle cozy like Wee Pleasures for my sis? Maybe?

Also I wanted to knit, Christmas socks. That might have to wait until next year eh? And I want to learn how to knit two at a time like all the cool kids on 2 circulars. This always looks magical to me. I hope it's not too hard on the hands.
 
Tell me, are you staying on knitting track? Or are you enjoying the journey like me?

Even when not knitting gifts I feel the "frenzy" this time of year.

Weekend Recap: Soccer Mom the Weekend Tournament Edition

This one was a whirlwind. Chocolate Crinkles were baked for the Soccer tourney down in Morgan Hill. Last hurrah of the season. Thursday night I realized I was out of eggs, so I ran home during my lunch hour on Friday to make the dough so it would have enough time to set before baking in the evening. Promises had been made! (Fear not, I live walking distance from where I work.)

We lost 2 won 1. But really it's an excuse for a team retreat. We stayed down south midway between SF and there, and the kids swam, played and ate together. We could've driven home and back the next day, but we made it a non rushing soccer weekend.

Hair, it's all about the hair. Sheesh.

The parents had a good time too, all for an amazing deal. There was a complimentary happy hour and snacks as well as a FANTASTIC breakfast buffet including omelets made to order!

The Manfriend drove up to watch the Sunday match (he works Saturdays) and about a third of the team had lunch on the way back to the city. We had cups of tea and watched the end of the 49er football game at Coach's house before going home to put the lights on the tree, shower (hygiene is very important we are constantly telling our boy) and make some Thai food for dinner.

The apartment was a wreak, but there was A Mickey's Christmas Carol, some knitting and an early bedtime. And here we are, back at it again ...

Tell me, are your weekends packed during this holiday season? Are you finding time to savor it and appreciate it? I feel like even in this busy pace we are going at in my little household, we are all having a good time.

Some Finished Knitting

I promise you, I have been knitting.

I finished the Clapotis. I always want to say Clafoutis. But it's not cherry season. I suppose I could use apples, but whatever, I digress again.

My trusty pal B.C. is nice and never says no, when I ask her to put something knitted on for a photo.

This one was taken while we waited for our food at lunch :) 

Late to the finish

F i n a l l y.

The Hitchhiker has long retired from the road and has happily reached it's destination after over a month of sitting in a Ziplock bag at the side of my bed. Can you say, "Weaved-in, baby!"

I wonder if I still have enough yarn for a pair of socks ... someday, one day, maybe in the spring.

Thanks little snoopy for modeling it at school drop off/coffee klatch!

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday I took the day off since there was no school. We hung out with Mrs. B and her son and 2 other pals. We went to the movies and had a pasta dinner with their families after. I was thankful for good friends.

I ran/walked a 5k this morning, thankful for my health. It benefited the local food banks, and I am grateful to the people in society that look after the less fortunate of all kinds.

I came back and made sausage rolls as my appetizer contribution for dinner at my parents. Grateful for family and the plenty we shared.

Happy thanksgiving! I am grateful for all your visits and kindness and the good in humanity.

My Rage Issues and Other Reasons Not to Be Like Me or Parent Like Me

Remember all that touchy feely stuff that I wrote about the holidays in the last post? Yeah, don't be so easily swayed by my desire to giftwrap the world.

Earlier this morning I was ready rumble in the dead end of my street.

What's wrong with me? Why?

Because I woke up this morning to the sound of a radio d.j. at 6am, again. Sometimes it's music. It depends on what my seemingly nice neighbor has on her favorite radio station. (She smiles  ... sometimes when we pass by on our little block -- we're city folk and not necessarily the chattiest of neighbors in general.)

I made up a story in my head she is a nurse, because she appears to get home around  6 am fairly regularly. I imagine she's peppy, getting off work after doing some hard good labor for others. She's enjoying her tunes, deafeningly loud in her car on the way home. The problem is, we can hear it through her car. through my closed windows and walls. (she has a great sound system.)

I once saw her roll home like this during the day, with her dogs (poor dogs!) in the car. But it was the day time, and meh. Whatever.

But 6am? Really? You don't think we can't hear you? You are really that self-involved?

And to give her the benefit of the doubt, I say yes. She doesn't know any better, because otherwise I would have to think she's a complete ARSE, whose parents should be called and shamed, STAT. Nurse or no nurse (remember I made this up) she's not very kind and compassionate or caring of others, now, is she?!?)

Also, I am not a morning person.

I opened my windows and leaned my head out to confirm it was her. I did not yell (though I imagine Manfriend was fearful I would) but that would make me no better than her. Then I slammed the window closed. I shouldn't do that either. It would suck to break a window because of my temper issues.

I laid there unable to think of anything else, but how that "young lady" needed a talking to (really I envisioned something a little more aggressive, but hey I'm not condoning my own unladylike thoughts).

Man Friend mentioned perhaps I need to work on my temper in a gentle non condescending way this morning, when I told him, I was disappointed I let stupid things rile me up. I know. I know.

I found out my quiet son has a temper, one that flashes especially for me. His father suspects it has something to do with my temper ... with him.  So when I thought I was being helpful sending my son an email of an online flute/music resource to help him practice. He finished practicing and made and sent me this:

The apple does not fall far from the tree. We're working on it. It's not you, it's me ... etc.

But hey, I'm glad to see him use that iTouch for something other than video games and Minecraft videos.